It ensured the Magpies finished in the bottom three and were relegated from the top flight for the first time since 1989.

But Duff is keen to help the club regain their Premier League status at the first attempt.

And he is convinced Shearer, who will decide on his future this week, can bring the good times back to St James’ Park after playing under him for the past couple of months. Duff said: ‘I’ve loved working with him. It’s been a proper football club for eight weeks, and it’s about time. It’s just disappointing we couldn’t stay up for him and the fans.

‘I think he’s been brilliant even though we haven’t got the results to keep us up. It’s the first time in a long while that this place has felt like a proper football club.

‘Things are done right and it’s been a breath of fresh air. If there’s one man to get us back up, it’s Alan Shearer.’

Duff insists he will not walk away from Tyneside and added: ‘I’m as loyal as they come and, whether the gaffer stays or goes, I’d love to try and get Newcastle back up into the Premier League.

‘I don’t know what words can describe the way I feel. I’m devastated.

‘The lads haven’t tasted relegation apart from me at Blackburn and Nicky Butt at Birmingham. No disrespect but we’re too big to be in the Championship.’